Since it's best to avoid over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals as much as possible during pregnancy, you may find yourself wanting to turn to herbs for relief of common pregnancy ailments, including morning sickness. There are a few herbs that can help with morning sickness and are likely safe for use during pregnancy.
Ginger
One of the best known of the herbs used to treat morning sickness is ginger, which you can take in the form of a tea or can use in foods and as a flavoring agent. Ginger works by confusing your nervous system, explain Drs. Penny Le Couteur and Jay Bureson in their book "Napoleon's Buttons." Essentially, your brain can't process the heat of the ginger at the same time that it processes nausea, which relieves symptoms.
Peppermint
Another herb commonly used to relieve morning sickness is peppermint, explains the American Pregnancy Association. You may find that peppermint tea first thing in the morning--or whenever you're feeling nauseated--helps to settle your stomach. Alternately, you can try peppermint leaves crushed in still or sparkling water, if a cold drink sounds more appealing than a hot one. Peppermint also helps relieve gut trouble in some women, so it may do more than just settle your stomach.
Other Herbs
While both peppermint and ginger are food-grade herbs and widely considered safe for use during pregnancy, notes the American Pregnancy Association, there are many other herbs that aren't necessarily safe. Non-food herbs fall into a different regulatory category than food and pharmaceuticals, per the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of the FDA. This means that herbs aren't necessarily tested for safety--particularly in pregnant women--and it's best to avoid herbal treatments that aren't food-grade.
General Guidelines
Talk to your doctor prior to using any herbal or natural treatment during pregnancy. Herbs sold at the supermarket, including herbs in mass-marketed teas, are generally safe. Herbs that you obtain from health food stores and alternative health care practitioners, however, may not be safe for use in pregnancy, explains the American Pregnancy Association. Your obstetrician can help you determine whether a particular herb is likely safe in pregnancy or not.
References
- "Napoleon's Buttons"; Penny Le Couteur and Jay Bureson; 2004
- American Pregnancy Association: Natural Herbs & Vitamins During Pregnancy
- FDA: Dietary Supplements
